In May 2013, the state’s two largest school districts came together in an unusual joint session of the two school boards. In that work session, our districts approved a plan to submit together a resolution asking Secretary-designate Hanna Skandera for flexibility in a teacher evaluation plan. The resolution was approved by both boards and sent to Ms. Skandera.

She ignored it.

She also ignored our alternative to the evaluation plan Ms. Skandera has stubbornly refused to budge on. Under her plan, 50% of a teacher’s total evaluation score is linked to standardized tests. APS and Rio Rancho school districts asked for some leeway and this is the plan that was submitted — AND REJECTED — by Ms. Skandera: